Siandra

Vessel numberHV000130

Official Number199164

Sail NumberMH 64

Sail Number1164

Date1956

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 10.73 m x 7.31 m x 2.67 m x 1.72 m, 6.1 tonnes (35.2 ft x 24 ft x 8.75 ft x 5.65 ft, 6.2 tons)
Registered Dimensions: 10.9 m x 2.59 m x 2.02 m, 11.06 tons x 7.52 tons (35.76 ft x 8.5 ft x 6.63 ft)

DescriptionSIANDRA was built in West Street, Crows Nest over a period of 2 years, with the owner, well known sailor Graham Newland making most of the fittings and working on the building in his spare time.

SIANDRA is probably the most successful of the Lion Class yachts designed by Arthur C. Robb, an ex-pat New Zealand yacht designer based in England, where they were a popular offshore racing yacht. The 10.7 m (35 ft) long carvel planked sloops are a classic deep-keeled yacht designed to the RORC rule, and were one of the types that influenced Alan Payne's locally designed Tasman Seabird Class in the late 1950s. It was strongly built to the standards of the time, with an elegant profile.

SIANDRA's first win was the second time the yacht had entered the Sydney to Hobart race. The yacht was a hot favourite amongst the fleet in 1958, and won in mildly dramatic circumstances, as reported in Seacraft's January 1959 issue. The race was sailed in relatively easy conditions, but SIANDRA's progress remained a mystery as its radio had gone 'on the blink’ shortly after the start. The race lead changed many times, and the Halvorsen Bros ANITRA V appeared to be the likely winner until SIANDRA appeared on the Derwent, 'out of the blue' to take handicap honours by 34 minutes.

Re-rigged from a 3/4 sloop to mast-head sloop in 1960, SIANDRA won the Hobart race again in another light weather race with good tactics by its owner and navigator, Graham Newland across Storm Bay after rounding Tasman Light. It was then only the second yacht to win the race twice. It sailed under the burgee of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Sydney and included in the crew was club member and SIANDRA's builder, Ron Swanson.

Since retiring from ocean racing SIANDRA has become a cruising yacht, and has circumnavigated the world. It is an ideal configuration and a very seaworthy hull shape. it continues to cruise Australia and the world, and is often featured in Classic Yacht magazine's pages.

Graham Newland, SIANDRA’s first owner, went onto to becoming one of Australia’s most successful offshore yachtsman and consultants. He was twice winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race, a senior member of Admirals Cup teams, the first Australian invited to sail in the US Congressional Cup and helmed GRETEL II during the 1977 America’s Cup challenge series. Just as significant was his consulting work and engineering expertise that went into yachts including RAGAMUFFIN, VITTORIA, LOVE & WAR, SALACIA II, STORMY PETREL and others.
SignificanceSIANDRA is a racing yacht built in NSW. It was built by Ron Swanson from the northern beaches region of Sydney, in association with the owner, Graham Newland. SIANDRA was twice winner of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in 1958 and 1960.